Patents by Inventor Eiji Kono

Eiji Kono has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20090174063
    Abstract: A semiconductor module 10 includes a ceramic substrate having a front surface on which a semiconductor element 12 is mounted and a rear surface on the opposite side of the front surface, a front metal plate 15 joined to the front surface, a rear metal plate 16 joined to the rear surface, and a heat sink 13 joined to the rear metal plate 16. The rear metal plate 16 includes a joint surface 16b that faces the heat sink 13. The joint surface 16b includes a joint area and a non-joint area. The non-joint area includes recesses 18 which extend in the thickness direction of the rear metal plate 16. The joint area of the rear metal plate 16 is in a range from 65% to 85% of the total area of the joint surface 16b on the rear metal plate 16. As a result, excellent heat dissipating performance can be achieved while occurrence of distortion and cracking due to thermal stress is prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventors: Yuichi Furukawa, Shinobu Yamauchi, Nobuhiro Wakabayashi, Shintaro Nakagawa, Keiji Toh, Eiji Kono, Kota Otoshi, Katsufumi Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20090156051
    Abstract: A circuit for detection of an HDMI source device to an HDMI sink device through an HDMI sink connector without regard for the activity state of the HDMI source device has a pull-up resistor having first and second terminals with the first terminal coupled to a DC power source. A switching device is coupled between the pull-up resistor's second terminal and ground at a circuit node. The switching device is switched on to couple the circuit node to ground when power is applied to a control terminal thereof from the HDMI sink connector power pin, and being switched off otherwise. The circuit node is coupled to a DDC/CEC GROUND pin of the HDMI sink connector. The circuit node is readable as a binary signal to indicate the presence of a source device to the HDMI sink connector, wherein the node exhibits a logic low signal when either the node is grounded by the DDC/CEC GROUND pin connection to a source device or when the switching device is switched on.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventors: Paul Doyle, Eiji Kono, Tetsuya Nomura, Peter Rae Shintani
  • Publication number: 20090139704
    Abstract: A heat radiator 1 includes an insulating substrate 3 whose first side serves as a heat-generating-element-mounting side, and a heat sink 5 fixed to a second side of the insulating substrate 3. A metal layer 7 is formed on a side of the insulating substrate 3 opposite the heat-generating-element-mounting side. A stress relaxation member 4 intervenes between the metal layer 7 of the insulating substrate 3 and the heat sink 5. The stress relaxation member 4 is formed of an aluminum plate 10 having a plurality of through holes 9 formed therein, and the through holes 9 serve as stress-absorbing spaces. The stress relaxation member 4 is brazed to the metal layer 7 of the insulating substrate 3 and to the heat sink 5. This heat radiator 1 is low in material cost and exhibits excellent heat radiation performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicants: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki, Showa Denko K.K.
    Inventors: Kota Otoshi, Eiji Kono, Hidehito Kubo, Masahiko Kimbara, Yuichi Furukawa, Shinobu Yamauchi, Ryoichi Hoshino, Nobuhiro Wakabayashi, Shintaro Nakagawa
  • Publication number: 20080231754
    Abstract: In a rear projection microdisplay TV with dynamic iris control, sensed average picture level (APL) or other sensed brightness level is used to dynamically establish microdisplay driver offsets including white balance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Orlando Arreola, Vincent V. Du, Eiji Kono, Tuan pham, Yoshiaki Shimizu, Khoua Vang, Jesus Villalpando
  • Publication number: 20080186078
    Abstract: System and method for changing a current input terminal of a user device. In one embodiment of the invention, a method includes receiving an input terminal change request, requesting that a current input terminal be changed from a first input terminal to a second input terminal. The method may further include determining if an external device is connected to the second input terminal. In one embodiment of the invention, the second input terminal includes a connection detection switch. The method may also include switching to the second input terminal when the connection detection switch indicates an external device connection and skipping the second input terminal when the connection detection switch indicates no external device connected according to one embodiment of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicants: SONY CORPORATION, SONY ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Peter Shintani, Eiji Kono
  • Patent number: 7364632
    Abstract: The present invention is a process for producing a radiator member for electronic appliances, and is characterized in that, in a process for producing a radiator member for electronic appliances, the radiator member comprising a composite material in which SiC particles are dispersed in a matrix metal whose major component is Al, it comprises a filling step of filling an SiC powder into a mold, a pre-heating step of pre-heating the mold after the filling step to a pre-heating temperature which falls in a range of from a melting point or more of said matrix metal to less than a reaction initiation temperature at which a molten metal of the matrix metal and SiC particles in the SiC powder start to react, and a pouring step of pouring the molten matrix metal whose molten-metal temperature falls in a range of from the melting point or more of the matrix metal to less than the reaction initiation temperature, into the mold after the pre-heating step, and impregnating the SiC powder with the molten metal by pressur
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Katsufumi Tanaka, Tomohei Sugiyama, Kyoichi Kinoshita, Eiji Kono, Naohisa Nishino
  • Publication number: 20080087400
    Abstract: First, a melt of Al or a melt of an Al alloy containing Si is injected in a die filled with SiC powder and cast to form a plate member made of an Al/SiC composite. Next, an Al foil member made of an Al—Mg-based alloy is joined with the surface of the plate member through hot pressing. As a result, part of the Al foil member enters casting blowholes on the surface of the plate member to fill the casting blowholes. In addition, an Al—Mg-based alloy layer is formed on the surface of the plate member. Thus, a base plate having a nearly flat surface is produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI
    Inventors: Katsufumi Tanaka, Kyoichi Kinoshita, Tomohei Sugiyama, Eiji Kono
  • Patent number: 7323255
    Abstract: First, a melt of Al or a melt of an Al alloy containing Si is injected in a die filled with SiC powder and cast to form a plate member made of an Al/SiC composite. Next, an Al foil member made of an Al—Mg-based alloy is joined with the surface of the plate member through hot pressing. As a result, part of the Al foil member enters casting blowholes on the surface of the plate member to fill the casting blowholes. In addition, an Al—Mg-based alloy layer is formed on the surface of the plate member. Thus, a base plate having a nearly flat surface is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Katsufumi Tanaka, Kyoichi Kinoshita, Tomohei Sugiyama, Eiji Kono
  • Patent number: 7196417
    Abstract: A mold is filled with unsintered SiC particles and a melt of Al or of an Al alloy containing Si is poured into the mold for high pressure casting. Owing to the SiC particles and Si precipitated upon casting, a low expansion material having a low thermal expansion coefficient is produced. A heat transmission path is formed by Al infiltrating spaces between the SiC particles and therefore high heat conductivity is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Tomohei Sugiyama, Kyoichi Kinoshita, Takashi Yoshida, Hidehiro Kudo, Eiji Kono
  • Publication number: 20070045801
    Abstract: A circuit board includes a substrate having a heat exhausting function. A wiring layer of a metal composite material is provided on the substrate with an insulating layer in between. The metal composite material has a coefficient of thermal expansion that is greater than a coefficient of thermal expansion of a silicon semiconductor chip and less than a coefficient of thermal expansion of copper. Accordingly, a circuit board that is suitable for mounting power devices, requires no heat sink or heat spreader is provides. Further, the number of components for assembling a module is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Inventors: Tomohei Sugiyama, Kyoichi Kinoshita, Katsufumi Tanaka, Eiji Kono
  • Publication number: 20060249500
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing metal matrix composite with ceramic particles as a disperse phase includes the steps of holding the single metal matrix composite or the plurality of layered metal matrix composites between a pair of pressing dies, pressing the metal matrix composite by the pressing dies, and heating the metal matrix composite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Publication date: November 9, 2006
    Inventors: Hidehiro Kudo, Kyoichi Kinoshita, Katsufumi Tanaka, Eiji Kono
  • Publication number: 20060246578
    Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to provide a simple microorganism detection apparatus that reduces detection time and that provides improved detection sensitivity, especially for gram-negative bacteria. The microorganism detection apparatus of the present invention includes: a detection target introduction portion, into which a sample and reagents are to be introduced; a detector, for detecting the color tone of the reagent introduced into the detection target introduction portion; a sample holder, for holding the sample to be introduced into the detection target introduction portion; a culture solution holder, for holding a culture solution used for microorganism culturing; and reagent holders, for holding the reagents to be introduced into the detection target introduction portion, wherein the presence/absence of microorganisms in the sample is determined based on the detected color tone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2006
    Publication date: November 2, 2006
    Inventors: Eiji Kono, Hironobu Sekine, Yasuhiko Yokoi, Akihumi Iwama
  • Publication number: 20060214295
    Abstract: A circuit board has a base plate, an insulating layer and a conductive circuit portion. The insulating layer is fixed to the base plate. The insulating layer includes a resin layer. The conductive circuit portion is fixed to the insulating layer on a side opposite to the base plate. The base plate and the conductive circuit portion have substantially the same coefficient of linear expansion and thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Publication date: September 28, 2006
    Inventors: Katsufumi Tanaka, Kyoichi Kinoshita, Eiji Kono
  • Patent number: 7097914
    Abstract: A plate-shaped composite material has a first member and a second member. The first member is an expanded metal formed of a metal plate. The coefficient of linear expansion of the metal plate is less than or equal to 8×10?6/degrees Celsius. The first member suppresses thermal expansion of the composite material. The coefficient of thermal conductivity of the second member is greater than or equal to 200 W/(m×K). The second member maintains the coefficient of thermal conductivity of the composite material. This structure provides a reliable coefficient of thermal conductivity and high strength. The structure is suitable for a cooling substrate on which electronic elements such as semiconductors are mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Katsufumi Tanaka, Tomohei Sugiyama, Kyoichi Kinoshita, Takashi Yoshida, Eiji Kono, Hidehiro Kudo, Manabu Miyoshi
  • Patent number: 7087316
    Abstract: A low-expansion unit includes a plate member and an iron-nickel layer. Upper and lower surface layers of the plate member each have the iron-nickel layer thereon and/or therein. While the plate member has a relatively large thermal expansion coefficient, the iron-nickel layers, which are formed on and/or in the upper and lower surface layers of the plate member, have a relatively small thermal expansion coefficient. Therefore, thermal expansion coefficient of the low-expansion unit is as a whole restrained to a relatively small value. Also, the plate member includes pure iron whose thermal conductivity is relatively high. Meanwhile, the iron-nickel layers, which are formed on the plate member, are relatively thin. Therefore, the low-expansion unit has a relatively large thermal conductivity in a direction of thickness thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Takashi Yoshida, Kyoichi Kinoshita, Katsufumi Tanaka, Tomohei Sugiyama, Hidehiro Kudo, Eiji Kono
  • Publication number: 20060046035
    Abstract: First, a melt of Al or a melt of an Al alloy containing Si is injected in a die filled with SiC powder and cast to form a plate member made of an Al/SiC composite. Next, an Al foil member made of an Al—Mg-based alloy is joined with the surface of the plate member through hot pressing. As a result, part of the Al foil member enters casting blowholes on the surface of the plate member to fill the casting blowholes. In addition, an Al—Mg-based alloy layer is formed on the surface of the plate member. Thus, a base plate having a nearly flat surface is produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Publication date: March 2, 2006
    Inventors: Katsufumi Tanaka, Kyoichi Kinoshita, Tomohei Sugiyama, Eiji Kono
  • Patent number: 6994917
    Abstract: A plate of an expanded metal and two metal plates are overlaid on one another. The expanded metal plate has a plurality of meshes. The linear expansion coefficient of the expanded metal is equal to or less than 8×10?6/° C., and the thermal conductivity of the metal plates is equal to or more than 200 W/(m·K). Then, the metal plates and the expanded metal plate are subjected to hot rolling to be rolled and joined. The rolling and joining are performed in two stages. In the first stage, the meshes of the expanded metal plate are filled with the material of the metal plates. In the second stage, the rolling and joining are performed such that the composite material has a predetermined thickness. The volumetric ratio of the expanded metal plate to the composite material is in a range between 20% and 70%, inclusive. The composite material, which has an improved thermal conductivity and strength and is suitable for heat dissipating substrate, is manufactured at a reduced cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Kyoichi Kinoshita, Takashi Yoshida, Tomohei Sugiyama, Hidehiro Kudo, Eiji Kono, Katsufumi Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20050250176
    Abstract: The present invention has an object to provide a simple detecting device and a simple detecting method, to shorten the time for detection, and to improve sensitivity of detection, particularly for gram negative bacteria. The microorganisms detecting device includes a sampling section for taking a sample from a detection target, a sample concentrating section for concentrating microorganisms in the sample, a reagent adding section for adding a reagent which changes the reagent color tone by existence of the microorganisms to the sample, and a microorganisms detecting section for detecting the change of the color tone of the regent by means of an optical system, thereby shortening the time for detection and improving the sensitivity of detection by concentrating the microorganisms in the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Publication date: November 10, 2005
    Inventors: Eiji Kono, Hironobu Sekine, Yasuhiko Yokoi, Akifumi Iwama
  • Patent number: 6885097
    Abstract: A board-shaped thermal conductor base board (3) is arranged on the bottom surface of a power module (1). Substrates (4) and (5) are arranged on the top surface of the thermal conductor base board (3), and semiconductor elements (6) and (7) are respectively arranged on the top surfaces of the substrates (4) and (5). The semiconductor elements (6, 7) are surrounded by a resinous case (2). A source electrode (13) is attached above and apart from the semiconductor elements (6, 7) by using the resinous case (2). The connection between the source electrode (13) and the sources of the semiconductor elements (7) are connected by wire bonding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Maeno, Eiji Kono
  • Patent number: 6882096
    Abstract: Correction of electron beam landing misalignment in a raster-type display is undertaken without using the usual set of coils, but rather by superimposing a landing misalignment correction signal on the already-existing velocity modulation (VM) coil or on another coil located at the junction of the electron beams in the neck of the display. The correction signal may be varied based on pressure, temperature, and ambient magnetic field as indicated by respective sensors to appropriately correct electron beam landing on phosphors the positions of which may be affected by variations in magnetic fields, temperature, and pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Rae Shintani, Ban Kawamura, Eiji Kono